1. French Monarchy

2. House of Valois
Henry IV (Bourbon)

3. Religious Wars
Catholics fought the Huguenots (French Protestants) 8 times between
Catherine de Medici’s 3 sons ruled, but weren’t very good
Daughter Margaret married to a Protestant French noble, Henry Bourbon. He becomes king

4. Henry IV Begins growth of absolute monarchy
Was Protestant but became Catholic
Tolerant of both religions
Edict of Nantes: statement of religious toleration
Popular, brought stability and prosperity
Stabbed to death, son takes over

5. Louis XIII Oldest son of Henry IV 9 when took throne Weak ruler
Advisor: Cardinal Richelieu
Weakened Protestants
Weakened Nobles
Married Anne, daughter of Spanish king. Two sons
Fought 30 Years War against Spanish/Austrian Hapsburgs

6. Louis XIV: The Sun King Most powerful French king
4 yrs old when became king
Cardinal Mazarin ruled
Increased taxes, weakened nobles
Economic advisor: Jean Colbert
Expanded factories
Used colonies
Wife: Marie Therese, daughter of Spanish king

7. Versailles Expensive palace Nobles lived there Supported arts
Estimated cost: $2.5 billion
Nobles lived there
Supported arts

8. Wars Invaded Spanish Netherlands War of Spanish Succession
Wife was Spanish, claimed the land
War of Spanish Succession
Louis’s grandson heir to Spanish throne
England, Portugal, and others fight to prevent this
Treaty: grandson is King of Spain but thrones of France/Spain can’t unite. England gets land, Austria gets land

9. Louis’s Legacy Positive Negative France is major military power
Lots of art, literature
Strong empire of colonies with goods/trade
Negative
Wars cost money
Palace of Versailles very expensive
Debt, high taxes
Not tolerant, Protestants leave France